Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso says things can change quickly in football ahead of a pivotal Champions League match against Manchester City
MADRID: Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso insisted the situation can change quickly ahead of a pivotal Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Los Blancos have won just two of their last seven games across all competitions, including a 2-0 La Liga loss to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Spanish media report Alonso faces the sack if his team loses against Pep Guardiola’s side at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“This is a team, a club, we are united, and when you’re Real Madrid coach you have to be ready to face these situations calmly,” Alonso told reporters on Tuesday.
He said he is looking forward to the match and that perspective can shift from anger to excitement.
“For good or bad, things can change quickly in football, your perspective can change, and we’re in that moment.”
Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 last week before crumbling against Celta.
Alonso said his team is convinced they can beat City and striker Erling Haaland to bolster their fifth-place position in the league phase table.
“We are mentally ready for what is coming, the team is united, we are all convinced we can win tomorrow,” he continued.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni defended his coach, saying the recent loss was the players’ fault.
“In the Vigo game the coach had a good plan, but it’s the players who are playing on the pitch,” said the France international.
“If we lose 2-0 it means we’ve had a problem on the pitch, intensity, technical errors. So it’s not the fault of the coach.”
City manager Pep Guardiola expressed sympathy for his former Bayern Munich player.
“Of course I have sympathy for him,” Guardiola told reporters.
“Barcelona, Real Madrid are the toughest clubs to be a manager at, the toughest ones for the pressure, the environment.”
Spanish media reports suggest Alonso has lost a battle for power with star players at the club.
Guardiola commented on the dynamic between managers and players at top clubs.
“If the hierarchy want to give the power to the manager, the manager will have the power. If the hierarchy wants to give it to the players, the players will have the power.” – AFP
